Committees met throughout the day. Committee I reviewed
proposals for amendments to Appendices I and II; Committee II
discussed timber species, trade in bear specimens, and
bushmeat; and the Budget Committee met in its first official
session to discuss the 2000-01 budget.

COMMITTEE I

PROPOSALS FOR APPENDICES I & II AMENDMENTS: Plants:
Inclusion in Appendix II: The EU supported a
proposal on Harpagophytum Procumbens (Devil’s Claw)
(Prop. 11.60) to limit import by member States until
sustainable harvest is achieved. JAPAN and most range States
underscored insufficient evidence of threat to or trade of the
specie and opposed the proposal. Delegates adopted a decision
postponing the proposal until COP-12 to allow range States to
collect additional data. GERMANY amended a proposal on Adonis
Vernalis (False Hellebore) (Prop 11.61) to include only
dead specimen. The Secretariat said CITES cannot allow
differentiation between live and dead specimen. GERMANY
suggested reference to dried specimen and delegates adopted
the revised proposal. Delegates also adopted proposals on Panax
Ginseng (Asian Ginseng) (Prop 11.54) and Cistanche
Deserticola (Desert-living Cistanche) (Prop. 11.59).

Annotations: Delegates adopted a proposal changing
the current listings of Cyatheaceae and Dicksoniaceae
(Tree Ferns) (Prop. 11. 8).Delegates also adopted
a proposal to harmonize exemptions related to medicinal
products by combining a current annotation for Podophyllum
Hexandrum and Rauvolfia Serpentina (Himalayan
May-apple) with an annotation for Taxus Wallichiana
(Prop. 11.53). CHILE withdrew a proposal on Echinopsis,
Eulychnia and other Bolivian Cactaceae used in the
fabrication of rainsticks (Prop 11.56)and suggested
instead amending resolution 9.18 to include a paragraph on
rainsticks. Delegates adopted the new decision.

Animals: Uplisting to Appendix I: NEPAL
introduced a proposal to up-list three Asian pangolin species
(Prop. 11.13), noting extensive harvesting for parts and
massive trade. Faced with many delegations’ opposition, the
US proposed establishing an informal working group to amend
the proposal.Several delegations, including TURKEY,
ROMANIA, FIJI and MONACO, supported uplisting the Bottlenose
Dolphins (Prop. 11.14). JAPAN opposed, stating the proposal
lacked sufficient data. The EU opposed, and ICELAND called for
a regional solution. Delegates accepted to withdraw the
proposal and refer it back to the Animals Committee.

APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE DESTINATIONS: KENYA
appreciated the support for its proposal (Doc 11.26) and
submitted amendments emphasizing export procedures for the
humane treatment of wildlife and determination of appropriate
destinations. Delegates will revisit this issue.

TRADE IN BEAR SPECIMENS: Several delegates, including
the REPUBLIC OF KOREA, CHINA and the US supported a
Secretariat recommendation (Doc. 11.29) that, inter alia,
Parties should report on action taken to implement
resolution10.8, which requested Parties to confirm, adopt or
improve national legislation to reduce illegal trade in bear
parts and derivatives. INDIA submitted a proposal specific to
Appendix I bear species that requests, inter alia,
development of a forensic scientific cooperative for
identifying origin of species, and a review of bear trade in
range and consumer States, including technical and political
missions to examine the status of wild bear populations and of
bear farming. The INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE urged
identification of substitutes for medicines containing bear
products. Several delegations supported India's proposal, and
a working group was established to further consider this
issue.

VICUÑA WOOL AND CLOTH: Delegates adopted a draft
resolution allowing for import of vicuña cloth bearing a
trademark stating the country of origin and requesting
exporters to provide the Secretariat details of exports (Doc.
11.33).

TIBETAN ANTELOPE: With the EU’s request to exclude
privately owned Tibetan antelopes, delegates adopted China’s
proposal requesting the Standing Committee to address illegal
trade and to investigate shahtoosh processing (Doc. 11.34).
INDIA noted a constitutional constraint in one of its States
affecting its ability to curb shahtoosh production and called
for Nepal’s support in cracking down on smugglers.

TIMBER SPECIES: Delegates considered Secretariat
recommendations on whether to repeal or maintain 14 COP-10
decisions on timber species (Doc 11.38.1). Delegates accepted
all proposals except for the recommendation to repeal decision
10.52 requiring submission of species’ names to importers
and CITES’ enforcement agencies. The US noted an educational
document on CITES-listed timber products.

TRADE IN APPENDIX II SPECIES: The Secretariat
introduced a draft resolution amending resolution 8.9,
establishing a process for the Animal Committee to review
biological and trade information on Appendix II species to
identify problems in trade regulation (Doc. 11.41.2). The
resolution extends the process to the Plants Committee. The EU,
COLOMBIA, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRALIA and others supported the
resolution. Delegates adopted the resolution on principle,
pending minor amendments by the EU and Colombia.

AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION 5.10: SOUTH AFRICA introduced
its draft resolution amending resolution 5.10 on the
definition of "primarily commercial purposes" (Doc.
11.43), noting it wished to withdraw the operative sections,
but retain preambular language referring to commercial
purposes of imports. CANADA, supported by the EU and the US,
opposed the preambular language, noting it made the term
"commercial purposes" more imprecise. The resolution
was withdrawn.

BUSHMEAT: The UK introduced a discussion paper and
draft decision (Doc. 11.44) to establish an on-going working
group to explore the trade and wildlife management issues
associated with bushmeat. In support, the CONGO said bushmeat
consumption has moved from traditional subsistence to
commercial trade, causing population decline. The decision was
adopted.

COSMETIC PRODUCTS CONTAINING CAVIAR: GERMANY, supported
by the EU and SWITZERLAND, proposed amending its resolution
(Doc. 11.45.2) to eliminate re-exportation permits for final
cosmetic products that contain "less than 0.05 gm of
caviar of sturgeon species included in Appendix II per kg of
cosmetic product." The US and others opposed on the
grounds that it sets an unacceptable precedent, fails to
demonstrate the impact on sturgeon and that re-exported
cosmetic products are used for commercial and not personal
uses. An informal group was established.

WORKING GROUP ON BEARS: The working group, chaired by
Yvan Lafleure (Canada), discussed the Secretariat
recommendations and the Indian proposal on trade in bear
specimens. They agreed the Standing Committee should review
trade in bear specimens at its next meeting and report its
findings to COP-12, and suggested Parties evaluate the
recommendations from the technical and political missions on
tigers to determine which of them may also be applied to
bears.

BUDGET COMMITTEE

EXTERNAL FUNDING: The Secretariat introduced a document
summarizing donor contributions for projects received in
addition to the CITES Trust Fund (Doc. 11.10.4). Budget
Committee Chair Stansell underlined that external funding
comprises a significant portion of the Secretariat's budget
and that it will play an important role in implementing the
Strategic Plan. JAPAN noted that it could not guarantee
increased contributions in the future. The UK said the
projected 13% overhead cost may effect contributions
negatively. The Committee approved the document .

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 1997-1999: The Secretariat
introduced the financial report for 1997-1999 (Doc.
11.10.1.Rev.1), and drew attention to the annexes, which
detail each yearï¿½s total expenditures. He noted, inter
alia, that investment of the Trust Fundï¿½s reserve
balance had been streamlined, and that the budget projected
for 2000 would not create a deficit. The US, and others, asked
for clarification on expected over- and under-expenditures of
several budget line items. The Secretariat said large
differences resulted from receiving external funding for
certain line items. Chair Stansell suggested the Secretariat
provide additional explanations in cases where over- or
under-expenditures exceed 20%. GERMANY and the UK asked for
better methods to refine future projections. The Secretariat
said a closer alignment had been achieved in recent years, and
assured a concerted effort to formulate realistic projections.
The Committee approved the document.

EXPENDITURES FOR 2000: The Secretariat noted the budget
was rescheduled as a result of holding COP-11 in 2000 instead
of 1999 (Doc. 11.10.2). He also noted that the Standing
Committee budget had been reduced since it had already met
twice in 1999. SAINT LUCIA expressed concern that insufficient
funds were earmarked for training. The Secretariat noted an
increased budget for training courses and suggested that
additional funds for developing capacity-building programmes
could come from external donors. The document was approved.

SECRETARIAT STAFFING: The Committee noted seven new
posts approved by the Standing Committee would be funded
through the Trust Fund reserve balance (Doc. 11.9.2). The
Secretariat highlighted the need for three additional posts,
including a regional assistance officer and an information
management officer.

BUDGET FOR 2001-2002 AND THE MEDIUM TERM PLAN 2001-2005: The
Secretariat introduced the budget plan (Doc. 11.10.3.Rev.1).
He said estimates for the first biennium are higher than
agreed upon at COP-10 due to an increase in programme work,
necessitating a 19% budget increase to finance current
activities. Chair Stansell added that a deficit for 2003 is
looming if Parties do not increase contributions. The
Secretariat also asked Parties to agree on an acceptable
withdraw level from the Trust Fund reserve balance.
SWITZERLAND, supported by the UK, the US and others, suggested
a gradual approach to financing posts and activities, taking
half from the reserve balance and half from the budget.
AUSTRALIA expressed concern that a low reserve balance would
be a liability. The Budget Committee will continue its
deliberations on setting a 1.5 million Swiss Franc Trust Fund
carry over limit and a gradual approach to drawing upon the
balance, as well as an overall proposed 20% budget reduction.

IN THE BREEZEWAYS

What was expected to be a routine Budget Committee
discussion on the Conventionï¿½s upcoming biennium programme
turned to confusion as the Secretariat and delegates
interpretation diverged on whether a COP-10 resolution to
increase the budget and, consequently, Party contributions,
was binding.

Some considered the need to review budgetary commitments in
light of new developments in the Secretariatï¿½s heavily
loaded work programme and a review of its activities in the
first phase of its mid-term plan. Many could not guarantee
additional funding for new staff beyond 2002, whereas others
were sympathetic to the increased demands for an expanded
Secretariat to keep up with CITES growing membership. Although
CITES is not subject to the current UN zero-growth policy,
some foresee difficulties in justifying an increase in
budgetary contributions to their governments.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

COMMITTEES:

Committee I will
continue addressing proposals for amendments to Appendices I
and II, including on whale species. Committee II will discuss
Switzerlandï¿½s resolution concerning diagnostic samples and
Kenya's proposals on the definition of "appropriate and
acceptable destinations" and the risks and benefits of
trade in wildlife. The Budget Committee will convene
throughout the day in the ICAO room to continue its discussion
of the 2001-2002 budget.

This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin
ï¿½ <enb@iisd.org> is written and edited by Leanne Burney <leanne@iisd.org>,
Laura Ivers <laurai@iisd.org>, Violette Lacloche <violette@iisd.org>,
Wagaki Mwangi <wags@usa.net> and Mark Schulman <markschulman@hotmail.com>.
The Digital Editor is Andrei Henry <andrei@iisd.org>. The Editor
is Pamela S. Chasek, Ph.D. <pam@iisd.org> and the Managing
Editor is Langston James Goree VI <kimo@iisd.org>. The
Sustaining Donors of the Bulletin are The Netherlands Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Canada (through CIDA and DFAIT),
the United States (through USAID), the Swiss Agency for Environment,
Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), the United Kingdom Department for
International Development (DFID) and the European Commission (DG-ENV).
General Support for the Bulletin during 2000 is provided by the
German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) and the German Federal
Ministry of Development Cooperation (BMZ), the Danish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment of Austria, the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Norway, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment of Finland, the
Government of Sweden, the Government of Australia, the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
and BP Amoco. Logistical support has been provided at this meeting by
UNEP and the CITES Secretariat. The Bulletin can be contacted
by e-mail at <enb@iisd.org> and at tel: +1-212-644-0204; fax:
+1-212-644-0206. IISD can be contacted by e-mail at <info@iisd.ca>
and at 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4,
Canada. The opinions expressed in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin
are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of
IISD and other funders. Excerpts from the Earth Negotiations
Bulletin may be used in non-commercial publications only and only
with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this
material in commercial publications, contact the Managing Editor.
Electronic versions of the Bulletin are sent to e-mail
distribution lists and can be found on the Linkages WWW server at
http://www.iisd.ca/. The satellite image was taken above
Nairobi ï¿½2000 The Living Earth, Inc. http://livingearth.com. For
information on the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, send e-mail to
<enb@iisd.org>.